Mayo Clinic researchers found that dopamine agonists used in treating Parkinson’s disease result in impulse control disorders in as many as 22 percent of patients. Mayo Clinic first reported on this topic in 2005. The 2005 study linked dopamine agonists to impulse control behaviors such as compulsive gambling and hyper-sexuality.
This follow-up study found that patients who are taking a higher dose of these types of medications are at a higher risk to develop these behaviors. Anhar Hassan, M.B., B.Ch., a neurology fellow at Mayo Clinic and the lead investigator of the study, suggests doctors, patients, and their families be aware of these finding and to monitor the patients for changes in behavior. Patients taking a high dose of this type of medicine should be particularly aware. Reducing or stopping the medication usually resolves the compulsive behavior in a short period of time. The study was published online in February 2011 in the journal Parkinsonism and Related Disorders.
After taking Mirapex for 14 yrs (in original double blind study) I was
titrated off starting January, 2011 by an astute neurologist who probably saved my life in the process. At this point I had over 10 car accidents(instant sleep), after driving over 30 yrs with none, had fallen backwards down an entire flight of stairs in my home (instant sleep),two back surgeries from fall down stairs (rods in back,month in rehab). My ‘punding’ (Impulse Control Disorder) involved leaving my home in the dark (approx 4:30) every morning and rummaging through dumpsters. It didn’t matter if it was a holiday, below zero (yes, I had frostbite too), blizzard, or raining, etc. Last autumn I fell face first in a dumpster narrowly escaping shards of broken glass. My hip caught on the corner of the dumpster, stopping my fall. Unfortunately it broke in the process. My orthopedist warned me I might require surgery (installing a pin in my femur) if I did not keep all weight off my leg till January. It took me 3 weeks to figure out by pushing the walker against the dumpster (where the ice was level) and using my ‘good leg’ I could hoist myself up with my arms and ‘be back in business’. At this point I knew something was definitely wrong, . . . with my family, they didn’t appreciate my bringing these great things home. When I looked around I saw great stuff that just needed to be organized. The fact that there was no longer any table to eat at, nor chairs to sit on, etc. was of no consequence to me. It was everyone else who seemed to have a problem. It was about the fourth week in titrating off that the bottom of my world began to shudder. I would learn this was called ‘Dopamine Agonist Withdrawal Syndrome’, DAWS for short. I would sum it up as “No one should feel like this and still be alive” Some have committed suicide, some have gone back to this medication because they felt they could not survive the withdrawal. I am now off Mirapex for 7 months.
DAWS still isn’t finished with me yet. I’m on an anti-seizure medication that helps me through the day. But I don’t instantly fall asleep now. And when I drive past a dumpster I get a sick feeling in my stomach. I personally would not give this medication to anyone.
Linda: I know what this drug can do. Tomorrow I go to court to finalize a harrassment suit against my husband. They will have to confiscate his guns and give them to someone who will not give them back. He has turned into a compulsive – obsessive person. He consistantly obsesses that I am having affairsa with every male who leaves a MESSAGE ON OUR PHONE. He is at a point of not knowing reality from illusion. Thank God your family was there and you didn’t alienate all of them. I pray for you and hope you come out the other side whole.